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November 12, 1998

Connecticut Forum on medical ethics

Tonight

Dr. David A. Kessler, former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration and current dean of the Yale University School of Medicine, is one panelist tonight at the Connecticut Forum's discussion of medical ethics.

``Brave New World or Return of Frankenstein?'' is the subject. The other panelists are Dr. Willard Gaylin, a psychiatry professor who founded a research center on ethical issues in the life sciences; Dr. Gillian R. Woollett, who is an expert on cloning and genetics (and is a twin); and Bonnie Steinbock, department chair of philosophy at State University of New York, Albany, and author of ``Life Before Birth: The Moral and Legal Status of Embryos and Fetuses.''

Joining the group is Rabbi Marc Gelman, frequent guest on the Imus in the Morning radio show and co-host of the nationally syndicated interfaith television program ``The God Squad.'' Peter Salgo, a practitioner of anethesthesiology and internal medicine and consultant to medical shows on television, will moderate.

Tickets are $25 to $45 and are available by calling (860) 509-2090. The event begins at 8 p.m. at The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford.

Theater legends

Tuesday

John Barrymore returns to New Haven's Shubert Theater when Christopher Plummer presents his Tony-winning performance in ``Barrymore,'' starting Tuesday.

Barrymore, ``The Great Profile,'' played the Shubert (now called the Shubert Performing Arts Center) three times in his career, including his famous portrayal as Hamlet in 1923.

The William Luce-penned ``Barrymore,'' directed by Gene Saks, plays through Nov. 22. Set in 1942 when Barrymore attempts to re-create his legendary performance as Richard III, the actor examines the highs and lows of his illustrious life.

Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2. Tickets are $28 to $50.

End of the World

Friday

The final season -- as we've known it -- of the Bushnell's venerable World Symphony Series begins Friday night at 8 with a visit by the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra.

One of the many Russian orchestral ensembles now circling the globe in search of fame and hard currency, the St. Petersburg was formerly known as the Leningrad State Symphony Orchestra.

Its music director, Ravel Martynov, will conduct an all-Russian program of works by Tchaikovsky, Glinka, Glazunov and Rimsky-Korsakov.

Soprano Margarita Alaverdian is the evening's soloist.

Tickets are $24-$40.50.

Box office: (860) 987-5900.

Celebrated violinist plays Carl Nielsen Concerto

Tuesday, Wednesday

Violinist Cho-Liang Lin, who won the Gramophone Magazine Concerto Record of the Year award for his CD of the Carl Nielsen Concerto, will play that work Tuesday and Wednesday nights with the Hartford Symphony.

The program, to be conducted by music director Michael Lankester, will also include Tchaikovsky's ``Manfred'' and the tone poem ``Phaethon'' by American composer Christopher Rouse.

Lin, who records for the Sony Classical label, has also been nominated for a Grammy.

Both concerts are at 8, with a pre-concert talk by Lankester at 7.

Tickets are $15-$47.

Phone: (860) 244-2999.

Lyle Lovett and his not very big band

Friday

Lyle Lovett, a Grammy country winner, who often traveled with his Large Band, has lately been returning to his more modest folk singer/songwriter Texas roots. His new double album, ``Step Inside This House,'' sings the praises -- and songs -- of his colleagues from the Lone Star State, from Townes Van Zant and Michael Martin Murphey to Walter Hyatt, Stephen Fromholtz and Guy Clark. Lovett will be traveling with what you'd call a medium-sized band when he plays the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville on Friday. A cello, mandolin, dobro and fiddle will be included along with guitar, drums and percussion in his band. Tickets to his 9 p.m. show at the 1,500-seat casino Events Center are $25. Information: (888) 226-7711..